The Bar Scene
The majority of pubs close at 11pm, though recent statute reforms allow premises to apply for 24 hour licensing. Some pubs have stuck to 11pm closing but chain pubs, bars (close between 12:30 and 1:30am weekdays, 1-3am weekends) and clubs (most close at 4am, some open until 7 or 8am) generally stay open later.
All around the city you’ll find traditional pubs with bizarre-sounding names like “The Dog and Duck”.Some may actually be chain pubs, mass marketed to get tourists in who want an “authentic” British pub experience and it can be hard to tell the difference from the outside. Although the tourist areas like Covent Garden, Leicester, Piccadilly and The Strand are clogged with a variety of pubs, it doesn’t hurt to get off-the-beaten path in order to find your true British pub experience.
Insider tip: For the achingly hip, Shoreditch is the place to see and be seen. This area has become more and more popular over the years due to an influx of artists living in the area (although as real estate prices go up, the poor starving artists are being pushed out) and is generally still less expensive than places like Soho. There’s a wide variety of clubs and bars in the area, so take your pick.
In the Clapham area, the scene is filled with beautiful professional types and around the Angel tube station you’ll find plenty of “townie” type pubs.
Don’t think about it too much when choosing a place or your head will start spinning. Go in, order a pint and if it’s not your scene, well, that’s why bar-hopping was invented!
Club Scene
Finding the right club for your big night out is not very hard as long as you know what you’re looking for, whether it be drum-n-bass, techno, hip hop, house, or jazz. Every neighborhood has a slightly different vibe but this should help get you started. Clubs in London range from the very VIP. to the jeans-and-sweatshirt kinds of places where the attitude is minimum. While some clubs are strictly all about one kind of music, at others you’ll find that every night of the week will be devoted to a different theme, so again, check with the local bible, Time Out, before hitting the clubs.
If celeb spotting is your main goal, then get dressed in your best and try to get into Mo*Vida in Soho, one of London’s most exclusive clubs. Soho, along with Covent Garden, is also where you will find many of London’s top gay clubs.
A veritable institution in the club scene, the famous Ministry of Sound in South London celebrates its 14th birthday this year, so fans of house should plan to take in a night of music here.
Leicester Square is home to some of the cheesiest and most tourist-oriented clubs, ones where locals generally wouldn’t be caught dead, unless maybe they’re trying to pick up naïve backpackers. So unless your goal is to meet other foreigners, it’s advisable to skip this section of town for your club needs and hit up the spots where you can actually bump into some natives. These bars and clubs also tend to be ridiculously overpriced: the price of a bottle of beer can approach £5!
Covent Garden is also generally crowded with tourists, although the scene is slightly less ridiculous than in Leicester Square. The best way to enjoy this area is to grab a drink at the Piazza, enjoy some people watching and then head out to Soho or another hip spot or dancing.
As mentioned in the Bars section, Shoreditch attracts a very hip, arty clientele and here you’ll find a fantastic club scene with places like Cargo, Catch and Medicine Bar.
Clubbing in London can get expensive but if you get there early, you can at least save some dough on the cover charges since it’s usually cheaper before 10 or 11 pm. Sure, you won’t be fashionably late, but that’s better than paying an obscene cover charge at the door.
Many of the London clubs offer a guest list service and if you have access to the internet and know when and where you want to go, it is advisable to e-mail the guest list as it sometimes saves you having to queue and is cheaper than paying at the door.
Live Music Scene
Several places in London are well known for their music quality (eg, jazz aficionados would look no further than the famed Ronnie Scott’s in Soho, while rock lovers would probably consider the Hammesmith Apollo and Classical lovers the Royal Albert Hall). However, what makes London unique is the huge number of venues that organise concerts on a daily or weekly basis. Have a look at a website like London Live Music Guide or Timeout to decide where to go. Music is generally good quality, and many concerts are free.
Other info
When travelling back to your hotel in London at night remember to check that your minicab is licensed - they should have a sticker on their back window with their PCO number. Never get into a cab if you are not sure if it is licensed. only black cabs can be 'called' in the street. Other minicabs need to be hired (usually on the phone) so a good rule of thumb is "if the driver asks if you need a minicab", be suspicious. Many venues however have licensed minicabs stationing at the main entrance, just ask in the venue for more info. An usufeul phone number to keep is CABWISE: Text HOME to 60835 to get the numbers of one taxi and two licensed minicab firms, in the area you are texting from.
Black cabs can be hard to come by late at night but the night buses run mainly from Trafalgar square for the same price as during the day. They run all night usually at half hour intervals but some are more frequent. Check with Transport for London before you travel for details of night buses.
Some Useful Websites To Help You Around Are:
For specialist adivce on London by night- late opening bars, clubs, restaurants and casinos, plus entertainment venues, travel information, and useful late night services such as pharmacies and alcohol suppliers, go to www.londonlater.com
Other websites including general London information are:
London Live Music Guide - Probably the most comprehensive list of concerts and live music in London.
TimeOut London - Very good guide on london's social events